Secondary Computer Science and Coding Articles

A Pen by Curtis Andres

Secondary Computer Science and Coding Articles

Secondary ​from 2016 and 2017 NMC CoSN Horizon Report

Coding Education Rare in K-12 Schools but Starting to Catch Ongo.nmc.org/rare (Links to an external site.)(John Keilman, Chicago Tribune, 2 January 2016.) A Google-commissioned survey revealed that only one out of four middle and high schools offer coding classes. Chicago-area districts are striving to improve that statistic by attaching coding lessons to non-computer science disciplines

Best Coding Tools for High Schoolgo.nmc.org/bestco (Links to an external site.)(Common Sense Education, accessed 13 July 2017.) This post lists tools that high school students can use to learn more about coding and how to write code. It includes both block-based programming such as Code. org and Scratch websites and text-based programming resources through CodeCombat and Construct 2 games.

Program Helps Kansas City-Area Students Create Technology, Not Just Use Itgo.nmc.org/kans (Links to an external site.)(Kyle Palmer, KCUR, 17 October 2014.) Summit Technology Academy offers advanced computer programming courses to students from schools around Jackson County. Most of their class time is spent working in small teams, developing fully functioning software programs based on several coding languages. Last year, students helped the Lee’s Summit Historical Society start building a mobile app for its museum.

K-12 ​from 2016 and 2017 NMC CoSN Horizon Report

Coding Education in Schools: Crucial as English and Maths — Or is It?go.nmc.org/orisit (Links to an external site.)(Colleen Ricci, The Age, 7 June 2015.) Australian parliament members are working to ensure coding is taught at all primary schools across the continent by 2020. The aim is to foster students who can design and operate the apps and devices that will fuel Australia’s future economy.

Coding In K12 Computer Science: It Starts From Your Imaginationgo.nmc.org/startsfrom (Links to an external site.)(Jason Rukman, eLearning Industry, 2 July 2016.) The author laments that K-12 computer science lessons are too often derived from traditional academic methods that favor the absorption of concepts over demonstrating imagination. The inclusion of coding in digital storytelling and project-based pedagogies can help students learn programming while giving them the autonomy to explore their own creativity.

How to Teach Coding and Programminggo.nmc.org/howtoteach (Links to an external site.)(The Guardian, 1 September 2015.) This article encompasses examples, resources, and affordable digital tools for primary and secondary educators looking to introduce coding into their learning environments.

A New Model for Coding in Schoolsgo.nmc.org/anewmod (Links to an external site.)(Digital Promise, 4 August 2015.) Digital Promise points to the successful coding model of South Fayette Township School District in rural Pennsylvania. Coding is embedded in the school culture as elementary school children begin with block-based coding and high schoolers participate in AP computer science, Java and Python coding, as well as software development teams.

24 Coding Programs Boosting Diversity in Techgo.nmc.org/divtech (Links to an external site.)(Kadenze Blog, 15 October 2016.) While minorities and women continue to be underrepresented in the tech industry, this post highlights 24 international programs, such as Women Who Code, #YesWeCode, and We Can Code It, that are addressing the disparity through a variety of approaches.

Trends in the State of Computer Science in U.S. K–12 Schoolsgo.nmc.org/statecom (Links to an external site.)(Google Inc. and Gallup Inc., accessed 13 July 2017.) While the importance of building coding literacy for future success is well noted, its integration in schools remains uneven. This report highlights that only 60% of schools surveyed offered at least one computer science course, underscoring the need for more urgency in the embedding of coding instruction in schools.